Project 365 - January

Week 3 - Jan. 11 to 17, 2009

Week 4 - Jan. 18 to 24, 2009

Project 365 - January

Week 1 - Dec. 28, 2008 to Jan. 3, 2009

Week 2 - Jan. 4 to 10, 2009

A New Year, a New Post!

We just got back from our 13-day vacation on Friday, Jan. 9. We were practically living by the suitcase as we travelled from Las Vegas on Dec. 28 to Jan. 1, to Disneyland in Anaheim from Jan. 1 to 5, to a Carnival Paradise cruise to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico (courtesy of a very generous sponsor) from Jan. 5 to 9. Here's a little rundown from our travels:

• Talk about spending the New Year in Vegas with style - we did just that! They closed the strip down for cars so we were basically walking down the streets - LOVE IT! We also witnessed lots of people overdrinking and some were even lying on the streets - couldn't get up - drunk! The fireworks were a disappointment though. Unlike the previous years (or so we were told), they decided to launch them at ground level. Thus, those of us already at ground level couldn't see anymore... :(
• While in Vegas, we also visited Red Rock Canyon and Rachel, NV. Rachel, NV is the town closest to the infamous Area 51 where a top secret government location exists focused on studying, researching, and discovering lives beyond this world (aliens). We had some photos taken at so-called Extra Terrestrial Highway. Passing through this said highway is so eerie because it looks deserted - you could drive miles and miles without encountering any other vehicle on the road! Makes you think what'll happen if your car suddenly breaks down in the middle of nowhere - no cellphone signal as well, and the nearest gas station is hundreds of miles away! The temperature dipped as low as 19 degrees Fahrenheit when we were there. In fact, there was snow on the ground.
• On Jan. 1, we passed by Mt. Charleston on our way to Anaheim. Kail had fun playing on the snow that he doesn't even want to go. When we finally convinced him to leave, we witnessed a helicopter rescue from the ski resort up on the mountains. We gathered from the grapevine that a kid broke his neck skiing or snowboarding. A helicopter came to rescue him and take him at our ground level for first aid before finally taking him to the hospital. It was the first time I ever witnessed a 911 rescue at work!
• For three consecutive days from Jan. 2 to 4, we went to Disneyland to fulfill our promise to Kail that we'll take him there to celebrate his birthday. The lines were horrendously long everywhere we went! We waited a couple of hours before we finally got our tickets, and then there were more lines for the rides and even for the photo op with the Disney characters! What's good is that It was Kail's first time there and though Calix coudln't care less, Kail was, on the other hand, so giddy at seeing his favorite characters come to life! He had a blast having his photo taken with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Lightning McQueen and Mater, seeing Woody and Buzz Lightyear pass him by, watching the parades, watching Fantasmic, seeing fireworks, watching Playhouse Disney live! Good thing we had 3-day park hopper tickets so we were able to fully enjoy the parks. We even went to California Adventure on Jan. 3 and wondered where all the people were! We capped off his 3rd birthday with a character dinner at Goofy's Kitchen in Disneyland Hotel.
• We left Anaheim for Long Beach on Jan. 5 to take the Carnival Paradise cruise. Hubz was already getting stressed hauling suitcases whileI was pushing a stroller with the two kids in tow. Travelling with two small children is NOT an easy feat. Aside from our luggages, we needed a great deal of patience to handle the tantrums and meltdowns along the way. Good thing we can leave Kail at Camp Carnival most ofthe time and Calix on specific times. This allowed us to get a bit of a rest. Kail enjoyed himself immensely at the Camp. They always had activities for kids, and tons of toys to play with, even movies to watch. When I picked him one time, he had face painting on, a crown on his head, and an artwork of his hands. This made us realize that he's truly ready for preschool. And oh, talk about food - there's tons of food - 24 hours a day. We can order room service without having to pay anything. The sit down dinner menu is delicious. There's buffet available if you don't want to sit through dinner. We'd truly recommend this experience to everyone. We were so pampered at the ship! When Calix would fuss and it was dinnertime, the dining room staff would carry him just so I can continue to enjoy my dinner. If Calix would fall asleep in my arms, the dining room staff would slice my food into manageable pieces so I can continue eating. It's service par excellance! Thanks to J for recommending this trip and giving us tips. Of course a big shout-out to our very generous sponsor!
• It's home sweet home for us on the evening of Jan. 9th, and after a great deal of unpacking, tons of laundry, and a little bit of rest, I'mback to the grind at work!

So, what's the plan for 2009? Well, I'm embarking into a new challenge - the Project 365 by Becky Higgins. I was one of those unlucky ones who didn't get my hands on the kit. Nevertheless, I am taking a photo a day to document our year. I'm taking photo of even the most mundane of things and documenting such at Shuttercal with bits of journalling. I'm still hoping CK will offer more Project 365 kits in the future. But if not, I have an idea forming into my head as to how I'll be able to turn them into layouts. What's good about this option is that itwill make good use of my stash. I'm only on Day 15 but I'm already having fun with it. I take photos even with my iPhone so as not to miss a day! I challenge you to try it - it's fun, and a very good way to document everyday of the year.

Happy New Year everyone! Looking forward to celebrating the Chinese New Year as well because the next one's Year of the Ox and it's my year!The last time the Year of the Ox came around, I left for the US so yes, I'll also be celebrating my 12th year in the US come November!

Christmas is here...

'Twas the night before Christmas. Our oven is busy making cassava cake for tonight's noche buena with friends. I also made peach cream pie earlier.

The kids are asleep, trying to recharge for a long night with their friends. The husband is watching Tagalog news in Pinoy TV. I'm busy with a Christmas entry on my blog.

This is probably our happiest Christmas ever. It's Calix's first and our first Christmas in our new home with just the four of us. Despite the recession, we still consider ourselves blessed. God has been truly good to me and my family.

From our family to yours... a very Merry Christmas and a Properous New Year!

Kail the Kuya

Hubz got upset with Calix last night. We were having dinner when Calix suddenly cried - the cry when he wants to be held, so I held him. But then I couldn't eat, so I placed him down again. He cried - louder this time. Hubz placed him in the living room without any lights on. What actually touched me was when Kail, then having dinner with us, stood up from his seat, went to the living room, opened the light, and stayed with Calix - trying to pacify him. I tell you, I was so proud of my little boy. I knew right then that when they grow up, they could depend on each other and they won't leave each other's sides.

LP 32: Maalaala mo Kaya

Ang litratong ito ay kuha noong dekada 70. Ang sanggol na nasa litrato ay ang aking mahal na asawa nung siya ay bininyagan. Uso noong panahong iyon ang mga maiikling damit/palda. Ang mga pantalong makipot sa binti at biglang luluwag sa laylayan - walis ang turing ko sa mga pantalong ito dahil sa paglakad mo'y animong malilinis ang sahig. At ang mga buhok na sobrang titigas na maski ano'ng galaw mo'y hindi magugulo! Ang kwento ng aking ina, beer daw ang inilalagay nila noon dahil hindi pa uso ang ispreynet. Parang ayoko yatang tumabi sa kanila kung ganoon. Mga amoy-lasing siguro sila, hehehe.

I Voted!

It's Election Day and an exciting time for all citizens, including me. I have mailed in my ballot a couple of weeks back. I wanted to make sure my vote will be counted. God bless America - for the freedom it stands for, and for the freedom it gives its' citizens to be heard and to make a stand. Today, history will be made. With the economic crisis on hand, it is important, more than ever, to choose wisely - to pick those who will lead America back into its seat of power.

Halloween came and went. The weather forecast said it was going to rain. True enough, it drizzled. Good thing the kids were done trick or treating. We have about two bags of candies to finish, plus those bags we weren't able to give out because we were out with the kids. They might end up in a balikbayan box to Manila for christmas.

A year ago, we were in the East Coast. On hallow's eve, we were sightseeing in downtown New York with Kail dressed up in his pumpkin sweats. He was handed a handful of candy then. Calix, on the other hand, was still in mommy's tummy so no costumes for him. This year though, theywere dressed as Mickey Mouse (a hand-me-down from Kuya J) and Dragon (which I got from Old Navy for $5). I also got them matching pajama sets to wear in bed. Hubz said I'm more excited about Halloween than the kids. I even practiced Kail to say "trick or treat" days before. Am I a stage mom in the making? ;)